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“What was that about?” Mali asks me.
My gaze stays focused on Hayes as he puts the phone to his ear but makes sure he’s facing the other way so I can’t read his lips. “I don’t know.”
I’VE ALWAYS TOLD MYSELFto trust my gut. It’s never been wrong before. But right now, I can’t figure out exactly what it’s saying. I don’t think I honestly believe Hayes would ever cheat on me, but as the secretive phone calls occur more often over the next few days, I can’t help but wonder.
I tried asking him about them, but he just claims it’s something for the bar. Something about the paperwork or the permits. But Marc is the one handling all of that, and even if that were the case, I don’t see him needing to take it outside.
He’s going over different floor choices with Cam, debating between the lighter wood or the darker, when it happens again. He glances at it and tells Cam he’ll be right back, then walks out the door. My brother doesn’t seem concerned, but it’s getting under my skin.
“You don’t think he’s cheating, do you?” My heart sinks at the mere idea.
Mali hums. “I don’t know, babe. You two are together all the time.”
“Except when we’re not.” I look over at Cam. “Is he here all day when I’m at work or does he leave?”
Cam snorts. “Are you asking me as your brother or his best friend?”
“It can’t be both?”
“No,” he answers. “But then again, I don’t think I’m going to answer, regardless. If you honestly believe he’s cheating, that’s between the two of you. But if you think that I would stand by while he fucks around on my sister, you haven’t been paying enough attention.”
He’s right. Cam is the most protective person I know when it comes to the ones he loves, and Hayes is included in that, but there are two versions of Hayes in his mind—the one that’s his best friend and the one that’s dating his sister. Protective brother would trump best friend, always.
“Okay,” I sigh. “Then my next question. Is he just not into me anymore?”
Honestly, I don’t know which would be worse. I’d be devastated either way. But Mali immediately shakes her head.
“With the way he looks at you?” she asks. “Not a chance.”
Hayes comes back in but stops when he sees Mali and me staring at him. “Something wrong?”
I shake my head and look away, but Mali isn’t the type to keep her mouth shut as she crosses her arms over her chest. “That’s what I’m trying to figure out.”
“Okay,” Hayes says hesitantly. “Do you want to fill me in on what it might be?”
Cam lets out an annoyed sigh. “They want to know if you’re cheating or if you’re just not into Laiken anymore.”
“Dude,” I hiss.
But my brother only shrugs. “What? There are way too many dangerous tools in here for Mali to be contemplating whether to kill him or not.”
My stomach is in knots, and I can’t even bring myself to look at Hayes. I never wanted to bethatgirl. The one who doesn’t trust her boyfriend or is insecure about her relationship. But as Hayes slowly comes over to me and puts his hand on my cheek to make me look at him, I realize I may not be completely rid of the feeling that he’s in this for a good time, not a long time.
“Lai,” he says softly. “You have me. All of me. Forever.”
It could be the honesty in his voice or the way he stares into my eyes to make sure I’m hearing him, but my breath hitches and my mind rests. There’s no one else. Not for him. Not for me. It’ll always be him and me.
“I love you,” I tell him.
He smirks, bending down to kiss me. “I more than love you.”
Mali gags and Cam mumbles something about never getting this shit done, but the two of us just stay there for a moment—lost in each other when I need it the most.
MY FEET SWING BACKand forth as I sit on the stool, eating ice cream while Cam makes Mali help him hold the new sheets of drywall in place. It would usually be Hayes, but he’s not here. He said he had something to take care of this morning and he would meet me at the bar after. It instantly made me worry, the same way I do when he refuses to let his phone out of his sight, but then I closed my eyes and remembered how the day Cam revealed my insecurities, Hayes made sure to show me how he feels every chance he got.
And just like that, all my worries dissipated into thin air.
“That piece is crooked,” I say, watching as they struggle to hold it straight.
